Who is Behind the Latest Assault on Social Security?

OK, so I've been reading a lot of hand wringing and nonsense lately (USA Today, CNN, CNBC, etc.) about how 1/3 of U.S. wages are now "welfare programs" including Social Security (when is Social Security welfare?) So I decided to see where this research came from and it was from this group: http://www.trimtabs.com/global/company.htm

Here is an example of one of these articles: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1364450/US-welfare-nation-Government-handouts-make-ONE-THIRD-salaries.html

Can someone please explain to me who understands finance:

1. What does this company, TrimTabs do?

2. What might be their interest in bad mouthing Social Security and other social programs?

3. Why the fuckety fuck do media companies give a shit what their research says...how are they even credible economists to comment?

Thanks!

Update: Trudy Lieberman of Columbia Journalism Review Points out the factual errors and bias in this article:

http://www.cjr.org/the_audit/cnbc_misleads_on_welfare_state_1.php

Unfortunately, this will still be shouted from the rooftops by very concerned Republicans for years to come.

a millenia-old piece of advice worth following here.

And often, the mainstream media doesn't really care whether or not their 'experts' are worth their salt - they want their 'experts' to merely confirm their biases against social security and in favor of lowering taxes on the rich.

with why things are so messed up now. People who aren't accustomed to the idea that the media is often wrong and biased (even CNN, ABC, etc.) will believe anything they read or hear, no matter how false it is.